| Architect: Leo Dowler and James Stevenson
of Calgary (1912), J.K. Shedden (1957)
Construction materials:
Medicine Hat brick.
Smooth and rock-faced sandstone (1912).
Architectural style:
English Church in the
Norman style (1912)
Historical highlights:
- Church named for St. Barnabas, an important early
Christian missionary. Barnabas was a hellenized
Jew who joined the Jerusalem church soon after
Christ’s crucifixion, sold his property, and
gave the proceeds to the community.
- The first church on this site, a frame building
erected in 1906, was also the first Anglican
Church constructed north of the Bow River in the
newly opened Hillhurst District.
- In January 1912 plans for the replacement of the
frame building with a new brick and stone church
designed to accommodate the growing congregation
were submitted to Calgary’s first Anglican
Bishop William Cyprian Pinkham.
- Bishop Pinkham laid the red granite cornerstone
on June 12, 1912. The inscription read - "To
the Glory of God this church was erected by Ezra
Hounsfield Riley as a loving memorial to his
Mother, Father, an Infant Daughter." The
graves of Thomas, Harriet and Georgina Riley are
located in the churchyard east of the church. The
Riley’s ranch was developed into the
subdivisions of Hillhurst, West Hillhurst and
Hounsfield Heights. Ezra served as M.L.A. for
Gleichen from 1906 to 1910 and in 1910 donated
the property for Riley Park to the city. In 1912
Ezra provided the endowment for St.
Barnabas’ church.
- The Calgary Herald reported, " The
cornerstone was draped with the Canadian flag and
the box which it held contains holds copies of
the Calgary daily papers, proceedings of the last
diocesan synod, program of the last night’s
service, and coins of the day, as well as the
plans of the church, which will be erected over
the stone."
- With the growth of the Hillhurst district and the
increased number of parishioners, it was
necessary to open the lower floor of the parish
hall in September 1932 and in 1952, the upper
floor, to provide more space for Sunday School
and other children’s activities. At the same
time, oak panelling with matching reredos, was
installed as a memorial to members of the
congregation who died during World War II. Mrs.
A. Maude Riley gave an altar, pulpit and lectern
in memory of her husband Harold W. Riley.
- On St. Barnabas’ Day (June 11, 1956) the
2,500 member parish celebrated its’ 50th
Anniversary and installed a new set of 20
"carillonic bells."
- January 11, 1957, a $125,000 fire destroyed St.
Barnabas’. Only the tower was left intact.
Two days later the rector, Dr. T.L.Leadbetter
preached a sermon with the text, " Let us
rise up and build, so they strengthened their
hands for his good work." Work began
immediately on construction of a new church.
Furnishings and stained glass windows were
salvaged before the 1912 structure was
demolished.
- The cornerstone for the new St. Barnabas’
was laid October 13, 1957. The original 1912
tower, salvaged stain glass windows, pipe organ,
carillonic bells, and sanctuary furnishings were
incorporated into the new design. The rebuilt St.
Barnabas was officially dedicated by Bishop
Calvert on March 7, 1958.
- In 1991, a $374,000 building program to update
the Parish Hall and link it with the Church was
completed with dedication of the renovated
facilities taking place October 27th.
- A Memorial Garden on church grounds was dedicated
on All Souls Day November 2, 1994.
- In 1996 St. Barnabas’ published a 90th
Anniversary booklet, which the parish generously
donated to the Local History Collection. "
St. Barnabas has always been well served by
faithful lay men and women who gave of their
time, their energy and their substance for the
support of their church and the spreading of its
influence. Down through the years these men and
women have worked harmoniously together with
singleness of purpose to establish a "Family
Church."
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